Over the years, the number of companies listed on BSE continued to register a phenomenal increase; from 992 in to over 3,200 companies by March 1994, with combined market capitalization rising from Rs.5,421 crore to Rs. 3,98,432 crore as on 31st March, 1994.

Though SENSEX (1978-79=100) was serving the purpose of quantifying the price movements as also reflecting the sensitivity of the market in an effective manner, the rapid growth of the market necessitated compilation of a new broad-based index series reflecting the market trends in a more effective manner and providing a better representation of the increased equity stocks, market capitalization as also to the new industry groups. As such, BSE launched on 27th May 1994, two new index series-BSE-200 and Dollex-200.

The equity shares of 200 selected companies from the specified and non-specified lists of BSE were considered for inclusion in the sample for `BSE-200'. The selection of companies was primarily been done on the basis of current market capitalization of the listed scrips. Moreover, the market activity of the companies as reflected by the volumes of turnover and certain fundamental factors were considered for the final selection of the 200 companies.

Choice of Base Year

The financial year 1989-90 was chosen as the base year because of the price stability exhibited during that year and due to its proximity to the current period.

Dollex-200
BSE also calculates a dollar-linked version of BSE-200 index and historical values of this index are available since its inception. (For more details click 'Dollex series of BSE indices')

Source : BSE

Calculation Methodology

Scrip selection criteria

The general guidelines for selection of constituents in BSE-200 are as follows:

Equities of companies listed on Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd. (excluding companies classified in Z group, listed mutual funds, scrips suspended on the last day of the month prior to review date, scrips objected by the Surveillance department of the Exchange and those that are traded under permitted category) shall be considered eligible

Listing History: The scrip should have a listing history of at least 3 months at BSE. An exception may be granted to one month, if the average free-float market capitalization of a newly listed company ranks in the top 10 of all companies listed at BSE. In the event that a company is listed on account of a merger / demerger / amalgamation, a minimum listing history is not required.

The scrip should have been traded on 90% of the trading days in the last three months.

All remaining companies are then ranked on average full market capitalisation, average free-float market capitalisation and average turnover for preceding 3 months

A Final Rank is calculated giving weightage of 75% to rank on market capitalisation (full & free-float separately) and 25% to rank on turnover

A Combined Final Rank is calculated by taking the summation of final rank based on full market capitalization and final rank based on free-float market capitalization.

Exclude all constituents with Final Rank beyond 220 based on full & free-float market capitalization

Include all companies with (a) Free Float Final Rank and Full Final Rank within 200; and (b) superior combined final rank to the extent of total exclusions

In case of any short-fall for inclusion, select companies with (a) Free Float Final Rank and Combined Final Rank within 200; and (b) superior combined final rank

In case of further short-fall for inclusion, select companies with (a) Full Final Rank and Combined Final Rank within 200; and (b) superior combined final rank

Any further short-fall shall be filled-up by including companies based on combined final rank